Domestic Helpers (feiyungs, bun muis)

In Hong Kong, it's very affordable to hire "Feiyungs" or "Bun Muis" to help out around the house. A typical maid charges HK$50-$70 per hour. Given how small the average apartment is in Hong Kong, two hours of domestic services (mopping, dusting, scrubbing...) would cost you about US$15-$20.

A lot of expats who start a family in Hong Kong could hire a live-in nanny for around US$500-600 a month to take care of the cooking, cleaning and babysitting. Most nannies are professionally trained on taking care of every aspect of domestic services. And they all speak English. It's a wonderful benefit of living in Hong Kong.

But I honestly, can not fathom having a stranger in my tiny apartment, going through my fridge eating my food and knowing how many times I take a s*** a day. It's just weird. That said, my fridge would always be stocked, home cooking every night (which could save me big bucks from eating out), dust-free house, and if I had a baby, I wouldn't have to wake up at night to take care of her. Testimonials from our friends here are pretty persuasive on hiring a nanny if you could afford it but I have my doubts. I need to bond with my kids and waking up at 3AM when she cries is tough but that's valuable bonding time in my humble opinion. Who knows how my attitude would change when I actually have to change diapers at 4AM =)

Anyways, there are approximately 150,000 Filipinas and Indonesians in the city, most of which are employed as domestic helpers. Surprisingly, you'd think they aren't highly educated but some are Civil Engineers or highly trained professionals. The reality is that working in HK affords better living conditions and higher income than working in their homeland. Generally, room and board is paid for and most of their salary is sent home to their families. Their employer generally pays for 1 trip for them to return home during the holidays and all get Sundays off.


It's quite the spectacle for a visitor on Sunday when all the domestic helpers line the streets, walkways, and tunnels to mingle with friends.


Some use the free time to rest and eat on creative broken cardboard boxes. They bring their own special dishes to share with their friends and play games to kill the time.


Any public spot with a roof is normally taken up. Usually, you can tell they have their usual support group to socialize with; evidently pretty vital to their well being while being away from their real families.


Other more entrepreneurial minded helpers sell stuff ranging from phone cards, toys and knock-off products to make a few extra bucks.


Hair salon service! I may have discovered my new hair stylist.

BTW - While I'm on the topic, every Filipina I came across this past weekend was pretty stoked about Manny Pacquiao. Most were clinging onto the newspaper and reading the result of the fight. I was very happy to have caught the 2 rounds live online. I'm sure the Danabar and Baysac households were very proud when he knocked out Hatton in just two rounds. Go Manny!